Global steel production in April 2026 fell by 1.9% compared to the same period in 2025, to 153.449 million tons, according to data from the World Steel Association (Worldsteel).
China remains the leader in global steel production, having reduced output in April by 2.8% compared to April of last year—to 83.630 million tons. India took second place with a 3.9% increase in production to 13.829 million tons. The U.S. increased production by 9.4% to 7.160 million tons and ranked third.
The top ten steel producers in April also included Japan—6.620 million tons (+0.3%), South Korea—5.245 million tons (+4.8%), Russia—5.020 million tons (-12.4%), Turkey—3.291 million tons (+9.4%), Germany—3.233 million tons (+9.5%), Brazil – 2.720 million tons (+2.8%), and Vietnam – 2.130 million tons (+4%).
Iran recorded the largest percentage decline among the countries included in Worldsteel’s statistics in April, with steel production falling by 45.7% to 1.8 million tons.
In April 2026, Ukraine ranked 25th among 69 countries in the Worldsteel ranking. Ukrainian steel mills produced 517,000 tons of steel during the month, which is 25.3% less than in April 2025, when the figure stood at 692,000 tons. Compared to March 2026, when 702,000 tons were produced, the decline amounted to 26.3%.
In the January–April 2026 period, global steel production decreased by 2% compared to the same period last year, to 613.323 million tons.
The top ten steel-producing countries for the four-month period are as follows: China – 331.120 million tons (-4.1%), India – 58.681 million tons (+9.4%), the U.S. – 28.140 million tons (+6.6%), Japan – 26.670 million tons (-1.2%), South Korea – 21.041 million tons (+2.5%), Russia – 20.570 million tons (-12%), Turkey – 13.037 million tons (+6.3%), Germany – 12.493 million tons (+9.1%), Brazil – 10.793 million tons (-1.6%), and Vietnam – 8.520 million tons (+8.4%).
In January–April 2026, Ukraine reduced its steel output by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2025—from 2.425 million tons to 2.246 million tons. At the end of the four-month period, the country ranked 24th in the global ranking.
As reported, at the end of 2025, the world’s largest steel producers were China—960.810 million tons (-4.4%), India—164.887 million tons (+10.4%), the United States—81.951 million tons (+3.1%), Japan—80.679 million tons (-4%), Russia—67.820 million tons (-4.5%), South Korea—61.882 million tons (-2.8%), Turkey—38.118 million tons (+3.3%), Germany – 34.090 million tons (-8.6%), Brazil – 33.347 million tons (-1.6%), and Iran – 31.8 million tons (+1.4%).
In total, 70 countries produced 1,803.774 million tons of steel in 2025, which is 2% less than in 2024.
In 2025, Ukraine produced 7.409 million tons of steel, which is 2.2% less than in 2024. At the end of last year, the country ranked 21st in the global ranking of steel producers.
Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical holding company, reported a 7% decrease in steel production for January–March of this year compared to the same period last year—down to 454,000 tons from 488,000 tons— but maintained pig iron production at 438,000 tons (436,000 tons in Q1 2025).
According to a press release from the parent company Metinvest B.V. on Thursday regarding operating results for the first quarter of 2026, due to the start of the Russian Federation’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the capacity utilization of the group’s Ukrainian enterprises continues to be affected by security factors, personnel availability, power supply, as well as logistical and economic factors.
It is noted that in January–March 2026, pig iron and steel production at Kametstal decreased by 12% and 20%, respectively, compared to the previous quarter—to 438,000 tons and 454,000 tons, due to unstable power supply in January–February 2026.
In addition, it is reported that in the first quarter of 2026, production of commercial semi-finished products amounted to 185,000 tons, which is 32% less than in the previous quarter due to a decrease in the output of commercial billets against the backdrop of lower steel production volumes and the prioritization of its consumption in subsequent production stages; at the same time, this was partially offset by a 2.2-fold increase in commercial pig iron production.
However, production of commercial semi-finished products was 7% higher than in the same period of 2025, thanks to a 96% increase in commercial pig iron production.
Overall, in the first quarter of 2026, finished product production increased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 11% compared to the same period in 2025—reaching 660,000 tons. In particular, flat-rolled steel production amounted to 292,000 tons, matching the previous quarter’s level and representing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by the resumption of hot-rolled coil production at Ferriera Valsider and an increase in orders for hot-rolled thick plate.
Long product production amounted to 349,000 tons, an 8% increase compared to the previous quarter and a 4% increase compared to the same period last year, thanks to increased volumes at Kametstal and Promet Steel (Bulgaria); Pipe production amounted to 19,000 tons following the acquisition of the Tubular Iasi pipe plant (Romania) in December 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, coke output decreased by 8% compared to the previous quarter and by 2% compared to the same period in 2025, to 256,000 tons, due to delays in coal deliveries amid unstable power supply.
In the first quarter, total iron ore concentrate production decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Output of commercial iron ore products fell by 7%—to 3.521 million tons—due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.
In the first quarter of 2026, total iron ore concentrate output decreased by 2% compared to the previous quarter, to 3.882 million tons. Commercial iron ore production decreased by 7% to 3.521 million tons due to unstable power supply during the reporting period. Specifically, iron ore concentrate production fell by 9% to 2.225 million tons; iron ore pellet production decreased by 3% to 1.296 million tons.
In the first quarter of this year, total iron ore concentrate production increased by 2% compared to the same period last year, while commercial iron ore output decreased by 6%. Production of iron ore pellets decreased by 24% due to the temporary shutdown of one of the roasting machines caused by damage to the power supply systems. As a result, the volume of marketable iron ore concentrate output increased by 8%.
As reported, Metinvest increased steel production by 4% in January–March 2025, to 488,000 tons. Total iron ore production for this period decreased by 15% compared to January–March 2024 but increased by 11% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.761 million tons. At the same time, production of commercial iron ore concentrate (IOC) decreased by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 7% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 2.064 million tons. Overall, total IOC production in the first quarter of 2025 decreased by 21% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and increased by 17% compared to the previous quarter, reaching 3.815 million tons.
At the same time, Metinvest increased its production of pellet feed by 7% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching 1.697 million tons, but reduced its total output of coking coal concentrate by 52% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 51% compared to the previous quarter, to 518,000 tons. Coke production in January–March 2025 decreased by 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 and by 6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, to 260,000 tons.
In the first quarter of 2025, Kametstal’s pig iron production amounted to 436,000 tons, production of commercial semi-finished products to 173,000 tons, and production of finished products to 597,000 tons. Specifically, production of flat products was 261,000 tons, and long products reached 336,000 tons.
It was also reported that in 2025, Metinvest reduced steel production by 4% compared to the previous year—to 2.018 million tons—and pig iron production by 2%, to 1.782 million tons. In 2025, output of commercial semi-finished products decreased by 3% compared to the previous year—to 839,000 tons. At the same time, commercial pig iron output doubled to 84,000 tons.
In 2025, finished product output increased by 13% compared to 2024—to 2.429 million tons. Specifically, flat-rolled steel production increased by 20%—to 1.107 million tons, while long-rolled steel production rose by 7%—to 1.322 million tons. Coke production decreased by 2% to 1.100 million tons.
In 2025, total iron ore concentrate production was comparable to the previous year’s volume and amounted to 15.695 million tons.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its facilities are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The holding’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian metallurgical companies reduced steel production in January-February of this year by 13.2% compared to the same period last year, to 1.026 million tons.
According to information from the Ukrmetallurgprom association on Monday evening, 515,000 tons of steel were produced in February, compared to 511,100 tons in the previous month.
As reported, Ukrainian steel companies reduced steel production by 2.2% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 7.409 million tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased steel production by 21.6% compared to 2023, to 7.575 million tons.
In 2023, Ukraine reduced steel production by 0.6% compared to 2022, to 6.228 million tons.
In 2022, the country reduced steel production by 70.7% compared to 2021, to 6.263 million tons.
In pre-war 2021, 21.366 million tons of steel were produced, which was 103.6% of the 2020 level.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises reduced pig iron production in January-February of this year by 11.2% compared to the same period last year, to 1.012 million tons.
According to information from the Ukrmetallurgprom association on Monday evening, 461,900 tons of pig iron were produced in February, compared to 549,900 tons in the previous month.
As reported, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises increased pig iron production by 11.2% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 7.884 million tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased pig iron production by 18.1% compared to 2023, to 7.090 million tons.
In 2023, Ukraine reduced pig iron production by 6.1% compared to 2022, to 6.003 million tons.
In 2022, the country reduced pig iron production by 69.8% compared to 2021, to 6.391 million tons.
In pre-war 2021, 21.165 million tons of pig iron were produced, which was 103.6% of the 2020 level.
In 2025, AMKR increased steel production by 2.3% to 1 million 688.9 thousand tonnes. This is the second consecutive year of positive dynamics after a sharp recovery in 2024.
The growth was made possible by the team’s efforts to stabilise the operation of key units in wartime conditions. However, as noted by management, production operated with restrictions due to unstable power supply and the need for constant re-planning of work due to attacks on the power grid.
At the end of the year, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) put additional pressure on export-oriented production, the effects of which the company expects to feel as early as 2026.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is the largest producer of rolled steel in Ukraine. It specialises in the production of long products, in particular, rebar and wire rod. The company has a full production cycle, with production capacities designed for an annual output of over 6 million tonnes of steel, more than 5 million tonnes of rolled products and over 5.5 million tonnes of pig iron.
ArcelorMittal owns Ukraine’s largest mining and metallurgical complex, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, and a number of small companies, including ArcelorMittal Beryslav.
Ukrainian metallurgical companies may increase steel production by 17% in 2026, to 8.9 million tons from 7.6 million tons in 2025, said Serhiy Povazhnyuk, deputy director of the state-owned enterprise Ukrpromzovnishchexpertiza, in an interview with telegraf.com.ua.
According to him, the main factors limiting production were security-related military risks, staff shortages, unstable electricity supplies due to missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure, and the continuing shortage of scrap metal on the domestic market.
“As for the forecast for 2026, metallurgical plants have already announced plans to significantly increase liquid steel production, to approximately 8.9 million tons,” the expert said.
At the same time, he noted that the Ukrainian metallurgical industry is experiencing an acute shortage of ferrous metal scrap, in particular due to the growth in exports of this raw material abroad.
“If metallurgical plants manage to implement the planned increase in production, there may simply not be enough scrap metal collected. Domestic consumers should be given priority in terms of raw material supplies, especially now, during wartime,” said Povazhnyuk.
He cited calculations according to which 1 ton of scrap metal, which is processed into metal products at Interpipe’s facilities, for which scrap is the main raw material, brings the state UAH 7,500 in taxes. In addition, 1 ton of scrap used at Metinvest Group’s plants generates about UAH 9,300 in tax revenues to budgets at all levels.
As Povazhnyuk emphasized, this is a direct benefit that the state receives by keeping all scrap metal in the country and processing it into steel. In addition, such processing has a multiplier effect on the entire economy, as it stimulates growth in related industries, such as the production of iron ore, coke, and ferroalloys.
“All this needs to be transported within the country, which means that the transport industry receives additional cargo. According to calculations, these sectors will pay an additional 5.5-5.8 thousand UAH in taxes to the budget per ton of scrap metal consumed. Therefore, the total effect for the budget from processing 1 ton of scrap metal in Ukraine will be 13-14 thousand hryvnia/ton. In addition to cash inflows to the budget, metallurgical plants provide tens of thousands of official jobs for themselves and related enterprises,” the deputy director argued.
In addition, Povazhnyuk stated that exporters pay taxes and payroll charges (personal income tax, social security contributions, military tax), land tax, and income tax.
“According to our data, in 2024, the largest exporting companies, which accounted for almost 90% of Ukrainian scrap metal exports, exported a total of 247,000 tons of raw materials abroad, paying a total of only UAH 12.3 million in taxes. Thus, the state received an average of UAH 50 in taxes for each ton of scrap metal exported. The official number of employees in these companies was only a few dozen people,” said the expert, specifying that the calculations were made based on open data on the financial performance of companies available through the OpenDataBot service and other public sources.
At the same time, Poland has begun discussing the abolition of trade preferences for the Ukrainian metallurgical industry due to Ukraine’s intentions to introduce a de facto ban on the export of ferrous metal scrap. This was written on his social media page by Michal Poluboczek, a member of the Polish Sejm from the Confederation party.
According to the draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On the approval of lists of goods subject to licensing for export and import, and quotas for 2026,” it is proposed to set the quota for ferrous metal scrap for the next year at zero, which means a de facto ban on the export of ferrous metal scrap.
As reported, in January-November 2025, Ukrainian scrap collection companies increased exports of ferrous metal scrap by 45.3% compared to the same period in 2024, from 261,578 thousand tons to 380,165 thousand tons. In monetary terms, scrap exports increased by 37.4% to $112.782 million from $82.056 million. During the period in question, scrap exports were formally carried out mainly to Poland (79.80% of shipments in monetary terms), Greece (7.61%), and Italy (5.70%).
In addition, it was reported that due to the sharp increase in exports of strategic raw materials from Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy initiated the introduction of a licensing and quota regime for scrap exports with a zero quota. A public discussion of the draft resolution is currently underway. Its implementation is expected to contribute to the smooth operation of Ukraine’s metallurgical and foundry industries, as well as to stabilize the situation with regard to meeting the demand for scrap on the domestic market.
In 2024, Ukraine’s scrap collection companies increased their exports of ferrous metal scrap by 60.7% compared to 2023, from 182,465 thousand tons to 293,190 thousand tons. In monetary terms, scrap exports for the year increased by 73.2% to $91.311 million from $52.723 million.
Earlier, Valentin Makarenko, chairman of the board of Interpipe Vtormet, said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that ferrous metal scrap exports have always been and remain a threat to the Ukrainian metallurgical industry, as they exacerbate the shortage of this raw material on the domestic market. In addition, this problem is compounded by the fact that during the war, the area suitable for scrap collection is shrinking.
Previously, large metallurgical plants most often compensated for the shortage of scrap mainly by increasing the consumption of pig iron during steel smelting. However, due to the shutdown of the Pokrovsk coal mining group and the increase in coking coal imports, replacing scrap with pig iron has become economically unfeasible in converter steel production.
According to Makarenko, at the same time, the importance of scrap as a raw material for decarbonization of industry is growing. The electrometallurgical method of steel smelting is becoming the most efficient and popular for the manufacture of metal products and their subsequent sale on European markets in order to minimize the impact of the “carbon” tax. Recognizing this trend, the European Union is resorting to various regulatory measures that allow ferrous metal scrap to remain within the bloc, and local steel mills have the raw materials to produce steel in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.
“Today, I don’t see any other effective mechanisms for stabilizing the market and reducing scrap exports, except for an administrative ban on the export of this strategic raw material outside Ukraine at the state level,” the chairman of the board summed up.
For more information on the largest steel producers and global industry trends, see the Experts Club video analysis review available on YouTube: Experts Club — Leaders of the global steel industry 1990–2024
